Ralph Hasenhuttl feels Southampton development makes club attractive to players

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl believes the positive feeling around the club’s progress can help retain key talent.

Following the takeover by investment firm Sport Republic, which is backed by Serbian businessman Dragan Solak, there is renewed optimism about the direction of Hasenhuttl’s well-drilled squad.

Unlike in previous windows – with Danny Ings and Jannik Vestergaard both departing during the summer – there was no January raid on St Mary’s Stadium.

Reports suggest Newcastle’s £40million interest in defender Mohammed Salisu was firmly rebuffed, with the Saints board determined to build something sustainable rather than just cash in and start over.

Hasenhuttl believes such ambition can only have a positive impact on the players when they start to think about their own club aspirations.

“Maybe it is because everybody sees we are in a very positive way, in a developing way and we are getting better,” said the Southampton boss, who side host Coventry in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday.

“We have some young players who are getting better and we are getting better as a team. The mentality has changed a little bit.

“When we stay on this track, we have a lot of positive surprises possible with this club.

“This is why everybody wants to be with us now and we try to give every player the atmosphere to develop.

“If somebody thinks he wants to go somewhere else and we cannot keep him, then there are other players around.

“The most important thing for us is we have an image as a club that develops players fantastically.

“That is worth more than all the money you can pay a player because, especially for the young lads, and there are a lot of talented players in England, they do not get a chance to play somewhere.

“They